Do you believe that science and art are at their best when working together, informing and supporting each other? Do you love wildlife, enjoy drawing or painting, and are passionate about conservation? If the answer is "yes" join us for a 2-week small group course with a team who have taught some of our most celebrated illustrators and artists:• Step by step, build your skills to produce stunning and detailed paintings of the natural world.

• Generate new ways of thinking and develop insight into the synergy between art and science
• Experience privileged access to the world renowned Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (formerly Jersey Zoo)
• Make new friends with like-minded enthusiasts

It will be intensive, so you need to be prepared for hard work and application. However, it will also be fun, you’ll meet the animals and their keepers (VIP style!), and all on the beautiful island of Jersey which you’ll also have time to explore and enjoy. Novice or experienced painter, we’re sure you will have a rewarding and stimulating learning experience.

Course fee: £1,500 which includes accommodation and subsistence on Jersey and full course tuition.
Application forms are available from itc@durrell.org Applications must be received by Friday 11th June 2010.

This workshop will focus on how to gather good reference for your artwork and then how to interpret those photos to make into a strong piece of art.
PHOTO SHOOT
The photo shoot will occur on location with animals from MINNESOTA WILDLIFE CONNECTION. The shoot will be each morning and evening to get the best light depending on the weather. 10 animals will be taken to various locations around Sandstone, Minnesota including the Kettle River. Animals that will be available include: wolves, lynx, red fox, black bear, cougar, white tail deer, bobcat and others. This is the PERFECT TIME of year for a photo shoot - the animals will be in the prime coats (not sparse, thin summer coats), and hopefully the wonderful fall colors will be starting to show up!
REFERENCE

• How to get good reference for paintings
• How to photograph wildlife for paintings - Jan and her husband wildlife photographer James Gary Hines will help you look for the best photo opportunities during the photo shoot
• How to interpret your photos
• How to combine photo reference
• How to understand what your photo is NOT telling you (Photos LIE!!)
• Organizing and utilizing all your reference sources
• The importance of understanding anatomy
• The importance of understanding behavior - wildlife art is more than just copying a photo!
• The importance of correct habitat

IDEAS AND COMPOSITION

• What constitutes a "good idea" for a painting?
• How to avoid "cookie cutter" wildlife art
• What is a strong composition?

BUSINESS OF ART
Marketing and selling yourself and your work (from an artist who's been successfully doing this for 27 years)

JAN'S THOUGHT PROCESS AND SOME TECHNIQUES

• Mini Demos by Jan on how she does her painting. This is not how she suggests YOU do your painting, only how she does hers.
• Jan will share her techniques and the thought process of how she goes about creating HER work.
• This is not a paint along "recipe" workshop - but rather one that gets your creative juices and thought processes going!!!!!

CONSTRUCTIVE CRITIQUES
Jan will give gentle yet constructive critiques of participants paintings

ACCOMMODATIONS
The workshop will be held at the Travel Lodge in Hinkly, Minnesota. The room rates are very reasonable, and they are working on offering a special rate to workshop participants once we get the details worked out. There is also an Econolodge close by. There are several fast food places close to the motel as well as other reasonably priced restaurants. This location is approximately one and half hours north of Minneapolis. We can provide participants with each others' contact information, so that you can work out sharing a rental car and/or rooms. Workshop and photo shoot is $1295 with a $250 non refundable deposit required

For more information:
Jan Martin McGuire
Email: McGuireandHines@aol.com
Phone: (918) 336-9021
Website: www.janmartinmcguire.com

Explore the enchanting world of miniature art with two of the nation's premiere miniaturists, Wes & Rachelle Siegrist. Watch them demonstrate techniques and try your hand at creating one of these diminutive gems of the art world. Learn about the guidelines contemporary miniature art shows and societies follow to preserve and promote working "in little". While all media are acceptable the instructors will be specializing in watercolor on a variety of surfaces.

The class will include a gallery walk by the Siegrists to discuss and field questions about their 50 paintings concurrently on exhibit at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum as well as a Power Point presentation on the history and scope of miniature art today. Miniature Art Society exhibition catalogues will be displayed in the classroom to illustrate the variety of media, technique and styles acceptable in modern miniatures.

This class counts towards the Art Institute's Nature Illustration Certificate. Individuals following this course will need the prerequisites Pencil I and Watercolor I. The workshop is open to all individuals working in their preferred medium. Cost is $365 for Museum members and $405 for non-members. Space is limited and advanced registration is required.

For more information:
Email Wes & Rachelle at siegrist@artofwildlife.com
Or contact the Institute directly at:
Email: arts@desertmuseum.org
Phone: (520) 883-3024
Fax: (520) 883-3043
Mail: 2021 N. Kinney Rd., Tucson, AZ 85743
Website: www.desertmuseum.org/arts/
Maps & Classroom Location (PDF)